Autonomous propulsion system

ABSTRACT

An autonomous propulsion system comprising a motorized unit including a traction mechanism; and a control bar removably attached to the traction mechanism and formed by a plurality of elongated bar segments connected end to end, such that the control bar can be formed in a plurality of shapes, and is thereby adapted to be more easily manipulated by a user shifting their body weight to steer and maneuver the propulsion system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to motorized motion systems butmore particularly to a small, compact propulsion device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exist several types of compact devices capable of pushing orpulling one person so as to make displacement faster and less strenuous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices nowpresent in the prior art, the present invention, which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and advantageswhich are:

To provide for an autonomous propulsion system that can be configured inseveral ways so as to have either wheels or tracks as tractionmechanism. It can be easily dismantled into a compact set of componentsfor transport or storage and easily re-assemblable. The autonomouspropulsion system can be used for a user who is either on roller skate,all types of skateboards, snowboards wake boards or skis. Steering isaccomplished by a user shifting his weight to directly affect thecontrol bar or by affecting a shift in a bicycle that will in turnaffect the control bar which, due to its shape, acts as a lever of sortwhich reorients the propulsion system.

To attain these ends, the present invention generally comprises amotorized unit including a traction mechanism, and a control barremovably attached to the traction mechanism and formed by a pluralityof elongated bar segments connected end to end, such that the controlbar can be formed in a plurality of shapes, and is thereby adapted to bemore easily manipulated by a user shifting their body weight to steerand maneuver the propulsion system.

In a preferred embodiment, the connections between each of the pluralityof elongated bar segments are similar in size and shape, and thereforeeach the segment can be removably attached to either end of any other ofthe segments, to thereby offer a user the ability to form the controlbar in many shapes.

Still in a preferred embodiment, the autonomous propulsion system has atleast three of the elongated bar segments including a curved section.

At least one of the elongated bar segments includes a plurality ofcurved sections.

The connection between each of the plurality of elongated bar segmentsis rotatable and thereby forms a degree of freedom at each of theconnection, such that the control bar can be formed in a shape havingthree dimensions.

The control bar is adapted to encircle a user for at least 180 degreesaround the user's body, such that the motorized unit and a portion ofthe control bar is adapted to be behind the user, and a portion of thecontrol bar is adapted to be in front of the user.

The connection between elongated segments are adapted to be easilydetachable and interconnectable such that they can be easily broken downinto separate parts, and then reconnected in any one of a plurality ofdifferent configurations.

The propulsion system is portable and can be easily broken down intoseparate parts, transported, and then reconnected in any one of aplurality of different configurations.

The traction mechanism includes wheels, tracks or a plurality of turbineblades.

In a variation of an embodiment consists in a combination of anautonomous propulsion system and a bicycle, wherein the autonomouspropulsion system comprises a motorized unit including a tractionmechanism; and a control bar removably attached to the tractionmechanism and formed by a plurality of elongated segments connected endto end, such that the control bar can be formed in a plurality ofshapes, and is thereby adapted to be more easily manipulated by a usershifting the angle of the bicycle in order to steer and maneuver thepropulsion system.

The connections between each of the plurality of elongated bar segmentsare similar in size and shape, and therefore each the segment can beremovably attached to either end of any other of the segments, tothereby offer a user the ability to form the control bar in many shapes.

In yet another variant, a combination of an autonomous propulsion systemand a snow bicycle having at least one skid member, wherein theautonomous propulsion system comprises a motorized unit including atraction mechanism; and a control bar removably attached to the tractionmechanism and formed by a plurality of elongated segments connected endto end, such that the control bar can be formed in a plurality ofshapes, and is thereby adapted to be more easily manipulated by a usershifting their body weight to steer and maneuver the propulsion system.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additionalfeatures of the invention that will be described hereinafter and whichwill form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application. The abstract is neither intended to define theinvention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is itintended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with thevarious features of novelty which characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a-b Top and side views of the invention.

FIG. 2 ab Top views of the invention showing a user alternatingdirection when snowboarding.

FIG. 3 ab Top views showing how the control bar can be rotated axiallyso as to be a mirror image.

FIG. 4 a Top view of an embodiment having a track.

FIG. 4 b Top view of an embodiment having a tire for paved roads.

FIG. 4 c Top view of an embodiment having a tire for off-road use or forice and snow.

FIG. 4 d Top view of an embodiment having an electric motor integratedwithin the wheel.

FIG. 4 e Top view of an embodiment having a turbine for use with a wakeboard water skis or any type of water borne vessel.

FIG. 5 Side view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 d on the shaft of a bicycleseat. Note that any of the embodiments of FIG. 4 a-can also be used on abicycle.

FIGS. 6-10 Various configurations of the invention in top and sideviews.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An autonomous propulsion system (10) has a motorized unit (12) and acontrol bar (14). The motorized unit (15) has a traction mechanism (18)which can be any of a variety of wheels or a tracks, as shown in FIG. 4.

The motorized unit (12) and the traction mechanism (18) are based on theworking principles found on other types of vehicles such as snowmobiles,motorcycles and other related mechanical devices and as such, need notbe further discussed herein.

A user (20) handles the control bar (14) by shifting his body weightwhich steers the autonomous propulsion system (10).

The unique feature of the control bar (14) is that it is made out ofmultiple elongated bar segments (16) each having two opposite endslabeled “A” through “J” in the examples shown. Depending upon which endfits into which, the control bar (14) can take on different shapes.

For example, in FIG. 6 a, the “D” end of a second elongated bar segment(16″) connects with the “E” end of a third elongated bar segment (16′″).In FIG. 7 a, the “D” end connects with the “H” end of a fourth elongatedbar segment (16″″), which has been relocated from where it was in FIG. 6a.

In FIG. 10 a, a fifth elongated bar segment (16) has end “I” connectedto end “G”. One can see that by permuting the location of the multipleelongated bar segments (16) or simply by switching the ends of the sameelongated bar segments (any or 16′ to 16′″″), a large variety of shapescan be obtained. For example, FIG. 9 a shows the same segments as FIG. 6a but the third elongated bar segment (16′″) connects its “F” end withthe “D” end of the second elongated bar segment (16″) instead of its “E”end.

It should be understood that other non-illustrated elongated barsegments (16) could be substituted without departing from the scope ofthe invention.

Depending upon the intended usage of the propulsion system (10) as wellas the personal style and preference of the user, a given elongated barsegment (16) configuration is created but the maneuvering remains thesame, that is shifting body weight. For example, a snow bike (22) has aconfiguration that is different than that of a bicycle (24). Theadvantage being that no complex steering mechanism is necessary.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of thepresent invention, the same should be apparent from the abovedescription. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the mannerof usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

1. An autonomous propulsion system comprising a motorized unit includinga traction mechanism; and a control bar removably attached to saidtraction mechanism and formed by a plurality of elongated bar segmentsconnected end to end, such that said control bar can be formed in aplurality of shapes, and is thereby adapted to be more easilymanipulated by a user shifting their body weight to steer and maneuversaid propulsion system.
 2. The autonomous propulsion system of claim 1,wherein the connections between each of said plurality of elongated barsegments are similar in size and shape, and therefore each said segmentcan be removably attached to either end of any other of said segments,to thereby offer a user the ability to form the control bar in manyshapes.
 3. The autonomous propulsion system of claim 1, wherein at leastthree of said elongated bar segments includes a curved section.
 4. Theautonomous propulsion system of claim 1, wherein at least one of saidelongated bar segments includes a plurality of curved sections.
 5. Theautonomous propulsion system of claim 2, wherein the connection betweeneach of said plurality of elongated bar segments is rotatable andthereby forms a degree of freedom at each said connection, such thatsaid control bar can be formed in a shape having three dimensions. 6.The autonomous propulsion system of claim 1, wherein said control bar isadapted to encircle a user for at least 180 degrees around the user'sbody, such that the motorized unit and a portion of said control bar isadapted to be behind said user, and a portion of said control bar isadapted to be in front of said user.
 7. The autonomous propulsion systemof claim 2, wherein the connection between elongated segments areadapted to be easily detachable and interconnectable such that they canbe easily broken down into separate parts, and then reconnected in anyone of a plurality of different configurations.
 8. The autonomouspropulsion system of claim 1, wherein said propulsion system is portableand can be easily broken down into separate parts, transported, and thenreconnected in any one of a plurality of different configurations. 9.The autonomous propulsion system of claim 1, wherein said tractionmechanism includes wheels.
 10. The autonomous propulsion system of claim1, wherein said traction mechanism includes tracks.
 11. The autonomouspropulsion system of claim 1, wherein said traction mechanism includes aplurality of turbine blades.
 12. A combination of an autonomouspropulsion system and a bicycle, wherein said autonomous propulsionsystem comprises a motorized unit including a traction mechanism; and acontrol bar removably attached to said traction mechanism and formed bya plurality of elongated segments connected end to end, such that saidcontrol bar can be formed in a plurality of shapes, and is therebyadapted to be more easily manipulated by a user shifting the angle ofthe bicycle in order to steer and maneuver said propulsion system. 13.The autonomous propulsion system of claim 12, wherein said bicycle haswheels.
 14. The autonomous propulsion system of claim 13, wherein theconnections between each of said plurality of elongated bar segments aresimilar in size and shape, and therefore each said segment can beremovably attached to either end of any other of said segments, tothereby offer a user the ability to form the control bar in many shapes.15. A combination of an autonomous propulsion system and a snow bicycle,wherein said autonomous propulsion system comprises a motorized unitincluding a traction mechanism; and a control bar removably attached tosaid traction mechanism and formed by a plurality of elongated segmentsconnected end to end, such that said control bar can be formed in aplurality of shapes, and is thereby adapted to be more easilymanipulated by a user shifting their body weight to steer and maneuversaid propulsion system.
 16. The autonomous propulsion system of claim15, wherein said snow bicycle has at least one skid member.
 17. Theautonomous propulsion system of claim 16, wherein the connectionsbetween each of said plurality of elongated bar segments are similar insize and shape, and therefore each said segment can be removablyattached to either end of any other of said segments, to thereby offer auser the ability to form the control bar in many shapes.